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From Water to Web: Microplastic Pollution and Its Consequences for Fish Health and Aquatic Food Webs
Summary
This review pulls together nearly a decade of research showing that tiny plastic particles (microplastics) are widespread in fish habitats and farmed fish feed, and that they build up in fish tissue—including the parts we eat—while causing harm like organ damage, hormone disruption, and reproductive problems in fish. Since fish is a major protein source for people worldwide, this raises real questions about how much plastic we might be consuming through seafood, though scientists still don't fully know the long-term effects on human health. The takeaway: more research is urgently needed, but the findings are a good reason to support better plastic waste management and cleaner aqua
Microplastics (MP), defined as synthetic polymer particles smaller than five millimetres, have emerged as ubiquitous pollutants in aquatic environments. Originating from both primary sources, such as microbeads, and secondary fragmentation of bigger plastic detritus. MPs are often found in freshwater, estuarine, and marine environments. With a focus on fish and aquaculture systems, this chapter summarises recent research (2017–2025) on the origins, trophic transfer, and biological effects of microplastics in aquatic food webs. Particle size affects the retention and systemic dispersion of microplastics, which enter aquatic creatures through direct ingestion, trophic transfer, branchial exposure, and drinking. Numerous detrimental effects on fish, such as histopathological damage, oxidative stress, immunological and endocrine disturbance, behavioural changes, and reduced development and reproduction, have been reported in both experimental and field research. Aquaculture feeds provide a substantial exposure pathway, with fibres dominating microplastic profiles in fishmeal and plant-based feed ingredients and accumulating in farmed species such as Catla catla, Oreochromis niloticus, and Dicentrarchus labrax. The presence of microplastics in edible tissues raises concerns about human dietary intake because fish is an important source of protein. There are still significant knowledge gaps about nanoplastics, long-term and multigenerational effects, and consequences for human health despite growing research. In order to promote sustainable aquaculture practices and environmental management plans, it is necessary to address these gaps.